Summary

Character player do n’t always have the biggest purpose , but a great performance can still advance a movie to the next level . A fictional character thespian is any actor who specializes in supporting roles , and they often play unusual reference . A great character actor involve the ability to transform into a new character and leave their off - screen personas behind . Some character role player become well known for depict a specific type . For representative , Joe Pesci is often a struggle mobster , and Christopher Lee roleplay a act of sinister villain .

It can be hard to nail down the definition of a character actor , because actors can go through dissimilar form in their careers . Viewed in closing off , some of Brad Pitt ’s piece of work reads like the vocation of a distinguished fictitious character actor . He has played eccentric hold roles inInglourious Basterds , Thelma and Louise , Snatch , Burn After Reading , Ocean ’s Eleven , and many more . But his pedigree as a guide man means that he is rarely consider a pure grapheme role player . The majuscule grapheme actors mostly stick to smaller roles , but they can make any moving-picture show instantly more enjoyable .

10John Carroll Lynch

Memorable role: Arthur Leigh Allen in Zodiac

John Carroll Lynch first rose to prominence with his role as Norm Gunderson inFargo . average is a balmy - mannered , devoted hubby on the outer boundary of a level take with despicable villain . Lynch did n’t allow himself to be typecast though , and he has made middle - catch appearances inThe Founder , Jackie , andShutter Island . David Fincher ’s crime thrillerZodiacprovided Lynch with another standout function , as surmise sequent killer Arthur Leigh Allen . It ’s left ambiguouswhether Allen was the sea wolf inZodiacor not , butLynch ’s chilling operation transmit a palpable sense of danger , even in his most ordinary conversations and activity .

9Octavia Spencer

Memorable role: Dorothy Vaughn in Hidden Figures

Octavia Spencer ’s breakthrough role as Minny Jackson inThe Helpearned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress , and two of her other most notable movies are also lay out in sixties America . She play a cleaning woman at a governance laboratory inThe form of Water , and a brilliant mathematician inHidden Figures . Spencer makes up one third of a fiercely watchable trio inHidden Figuresalongside Taraji P. Henson and Janelle Monáe , each accomplished character actors in their own right . Hidden Figuresis based on a true account , and Spencer ’s unquestionable performance goes a farseeing way to make it experience material .

8Steve Buscemi

Memorable role: Nikita Khrushchev in The Death of Stalin

Buscemi possesses a distinctive aspect , with his large oculus and broad , grimacing lips .

Like Lynch , Steve Buscemi is a scene - stealing presence inFargo , as the curtly - temper assassin Carl Showalter . Buscemi own a distinctive smell , with his large oculus and extensive , grimacing lip . This can be a huge positive for any case worker , and Buscemi ’s unequalled feature film are equally suited to comedy or crime . Steve Buscemi often appear alongside Adam Sandler , but he is just as likely to show up in Quentin Tarantino ’s movies . One theatrical role that combines these conflicting side to Buscemi ’s gift is Nikita Khrushchev , who he spiel in the darkness satireThe Death of Stalin . Despite playing a Russian politician , Buscemi does n’t discharge his iconic New York accent .

7James Hong

Memorable role: David Lo Pan in Big Trouble in Little China

James Hong has appeared in over 600 movies and telecasting appearance , and he is still working in his 90 . Hong recently played Gong Gong in the Oscar - winningEverything Everywhere All at Once , and Mr. Gao inTurning Red . His other voice workplace include Po ’s forefather , Mr. Ping , in theKung Fu Pandamovies , and Chi - Fu inMulan . His unbelievably long vocation has seen him go from working with Groucho Marx and Clark Gable in the 1950s to Jordan Peele and Seth Rogen in more recent yr . Hong has drawn on his Chinese heritage and his experiences as an Asian - American for hundred of role .

6Christoph Waltz

Memorable role: Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds

Christoph Waltz appeared in a numeral of German - speech movies and telly shows , but it was n’t until his breakout role as Colonel Hans Landa in Quentin Tarantino’sInglourious Basterdsthat he shot to international fame . Landa is a disturbingly colloquial villain , whose Earth’s surface - grade charm conceals a sinister meat . Waltz also play the villain inDjango untied , and he win an Oscar for each performance . Waltz was then tasked with uprise one of the most iconic scoundrel in cinema , when he convey on the theatrical role of Blofeld in theJames Bondfranchise . In a relatively short catamenia , Waltz has established himself as a powerfully baleful on - silver screen mien .

5Judi Dench

Memorable role: Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love

Judi Dench has dozens of starring office under her belt , and she has rightly gain the report of being one of the greatest actors of her generation . But she also performs exceptionally well in support roles , winning three Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actress . Dench ’s dedication to her craft has help her adapt seamlessly to a wide variety of roles , including as M in theJames Bondfranchise . InShakespeare in Love , she put her purple gentle wind to good usance as Queen Elizabeth I.Shakespeare in Lovewas an obvious scene for Dench , as she is a prolific Shakespearean player , both on stage and sieve .

4Andy Serkis

Memorable role: Gollum in The Lord of the Rings trilogy

Andy Serkis is one of the most iconic creature actors in Hollywood , alongside Doug Jones . Serkis ' meticulously canvas motion make him stick out out in roles that only he could play . He has been at the vanguard of advanced motion capture applied science ever since his breakout role as Gollum in Peter Jackson’sThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy , also creating compelling non - human character inKing Kong , thePlanet of the Apesfranchise , andStar Wars . ButAndy Serkis ' best moviesalso feature him trifle humankind , as he does inBlack Panther , The Batman , andLuther : The Fallen Sun . Few actors have such a remarkable range .

3Benicio Del Toro

Memorable role: Moses Rosenthaler

After ab initio distinguish himself from the crew with supporting office inThe Usual Suspects , Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas , andSnatch , Benicio Del Toro cement his position as a top character thespian throughout the 2000s and 2010s . He has a batch of experience playing twisted , amoral criminals , like his part as Jackie Boy inSin City , and Del Toro often impregnate his persona with a frantic , offbeat energy which lends them a chaotic unpredictability . He break into Wes Anderson ’s gist cast of actors inThe French Dispatchas the excruciate creative person Moses Rosenthaler . The French Dispatchboasts an incredible shape , but Del Toro is among the most captivating performer .

2John Cazale

Memorable role: Fredo Corleone in The Godfather

His five feature - distance movie coming into court produce five masterpiece .

John Cazale ’s life history was tragically cut short by lung cancer , but his five feature - length motion-picture show appearances produce five masterpieces . He made his debut inThe Godfather , immediately point that he was capable of sharing the screen with legends such as Al Pacino and Marlon Brando . In the same year asThe Godfather Part II , Cazale appeared alongside Gene Hackman inThe Conversation . For many actors , a movie as successful asThe Godfatherwould represent the peak of their achievements , but scene - stealing turns inDog Day AfternoonandThe Deer Huntershow thatJohn Cazale ’s singular careercould easily have made him a home name .

1Tilda Swinton

Memorable role: Mason in Snowpiercer

Tilda Swinton ’s androgynous looks and pallid complexion lend her an fugacious calibre which fits a wide range of fibre . She has the power to go away into her role , and she is extremely laborious to pin down as a performer . She has a propensity for absurd comedic role , like the Midwestern samurai inThe Dead Do n’t Die , or the ancient dowager inThe Grand Budapest Hotel , but many ofTilda Swinton ’s adept moviesshowcase her spectacular talent . She received far-flung critical acclaim for her performance inMichael Clayton , and she also glitter inOrlandoandA Bigger Splash . Snowpiercercombines these two sides to her , as she plays an over - the - top villain .

How Rachel Zegler’s

Ben Affleck as Christian drumming his hand on the table while talking to Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s Marybeth in The Accountant 2

Josh Hartnett looking shocked in Fight or Flight

Benicio Del Toro

John Carroll Lynch’s Arthur Leigh Allen stands in a convenience store in Zodiac

Octavia Spencer as Dorothy in church in Hidden Figures.

James Hong In Big Trouble In Little China holding a dagger

Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) subtly interrogates Shosanna (Melanie Laurent) during a meal in Inglorious Basterds.

Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth looking regal in Shakespeare in Love.

Benicio Deltoro in a straitjacket in The French Dispatch

John Cazale in The Godfather